An interesting fight is shaping up over real estate transfer taxes. It has implications for a lot of municipal elections this year, including Raleigh’s.

Opponents – Realtors and homebuilders – label the idea the “home tax.” Their website – http://www.itsabadidea.org/ – says: “Bills now being considered in the State Legislature would force the home sellers to pay a 1% sales tax. Taxing the equity in our homes – it’s a bad idea.”

One well-targeted touch in their campaign: They’ve put up small signs in Raleigh – two of them in key locations:

• Along Peace Street on the way to the Legislative Building from Finch’s, a popular legislative breakfast stop.

• Near the K&W Cafeteria in Cameron Village, where more legislators are eating since lobbyist-paid meals were restricted.

Supporters will counter, probably like they did in the Raleigh elections two years ago. Their message will be that developers are making a lot of money, so they ought to help pay for roads, schools, parks and other improvements – through transfer taxes and impact fees.

The campaign that frames this issue first and best will win. The legislative fight may tell us which side is smarter and better-funded.

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